CricInfo has learned that the ICC, in response to widespread concern over dissent and poor behaviour in international cricket, is planning to introduce a system of cards, based on that used in international football. The showing of a card to a player on the field of play is expected to be a greater deterrent, and would provide a more rapid warning than the current system of awaiting a match referee's decision. A two-card system similar to football's yellow caution and red dismissal is being considered.

The yellow card will be shown when in the opinion of the umpire a player has transgressed the ICC's code of conduct - either for dissent, verbal abuse and intimidation, or crude and abusive language. The card will be shown as a warning. Penalties will be determined and imposed by the match referee, and would include fines and suspensions. In specific cases of "sledging", the umpire, at his discretion, will be able to send the offending fielder to a "sin-bin" for four overs, or apply a five-run penalty to the batsman's score.

If a second offence occurs, the umpire will be mandated to show a second yellow card, then the red card. The red card would be used at the outset only if the offence is considered sufficiently serious. On being shown a red card, the player will have to leave the field immediately, without replacement. Such cases will carry an automatic one-match suspension, to be reviewed or extended by the match referee after consultation with the umpires.

The plan raises a number of issues that will need to be addressed by the ICC before its implementation (likely in the 2001-02 season). It will introduce a new form of dismissal for batsmen - possibly we will see the entry "sent off" in place of the more usual lbw or run out - to say nothing of the potential for batsmen to score "negative" runs. The card system will return considerable powers to the umpire, and may make the match referee's position almost superfluous. The implications of teams playing a man short will also need to be considered. Although the ICC is to be applauded for responding quickly to calls for action against unacceptable behaviour, they should be aware that such a system could change the face of cricket rather more than those who respect the traditions of this great game would wish.

© CricInfo